22 THE GROUNDSWELL. 



the ominous, oppressive stillness which precedes a storm. 

 All was beauty and peace. 



The boats belonging to the village were drawn up on the 

 beach, in orderly array, the sails of some hanging listlessly, 

 and those of others stowed carefully away or lashed trimly 

 to the masts. Of the sturdy fishermen lolling about on 

 the beach, the younger ones were chatting gayly, or lazily 

 smoking their short pipes, evidently enjoying their enforced 

 idleness ; others, more restless, and chafing under their in 

 activity, strolled to and fro, ever and anon casting an eye, 

 now seaward, and now toward the line of cliffs shutting in 

 the broad sandy beach. But not a sign did they discern of 

 the much desired change of the monotonously fine weather. 

 The longed-for breeze which was to take them to their fish 

 ing grounds gave no token yet of its appearance. Even the 

 older salts, whom a life of constant watchfulness had ren 

 dered wary as cats, had* relaxed some of their accustomed 

 vigilance, and, gathered in little groups, were smoking and 

 discussing old times. 



Suddenly, almost instantaneously, the scene changed as if 

 by magic, and the beach became a spectacle of bustling con 

 fusion and activity. The sun still shone with grateful warmth, 

 and the same dead calm continued; but, far in the distance, 

 there was a sudden upheaval of the waters, innocent in the 

 depths of the ocean, but terrible in its force against the shore. 

 One of the veterans who had been watching the sea, from 

 force of habit rather than any thought of danger, saw it, and 

 suddenly leaped up. &quot;A. swell ! A groundswell !&quot; he shouted ; 

 &quot; Quick ! Quick !&quot; And, motioning to his two mates, he 

 rushed, as with the vigor of youth, to where his boat lay 

 with the others upon the beach. In an instant the craft was 

 launched, and he and his comrades were rowing out to sea, 

 as if for life. 



